College Football Playoffs: Round 1 Review
ESPN Writer
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41Player of the Game: TE Roberto Mazza - 10 catches, 92 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns
Summary
Oklahoma's offense completely outpaced the upstart Rice Owls, with 497 yards in total offense in their 41-24 shellacking in the first round. The Sooners exploded with 21 points in the second quarter alone while the Owls managed a sad field goal to avoid the shutout. Oklahoma quarterback Nick Lopes guided the ship with an exceptional performance, throwing 346 passing yards and four touchdowns to only a single interception, completing 81% of his passes. On the flip side, Rice quarterback Isaiah Gee played amicably in a losing effort, throwing 204 passing yards and two touchdowns, while also completing an impressive 69% of his passes. However, the run game was never much of a factor and the 21-point deficit heading into the second half was far too much for the Owls to overcome.
The Sooners will take on in-state rival Oklahoma State in the Rose Bowl.
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17Player of the Game: HB Lamar Lecounte - 22 carries, 119 rushing yards
Summary
It felt as though Penn State being the underdog was more due to the fact that they lost to Ohio State in the Big 10 Championship game rather than on merit, because Cincinnati really had no business being the 8th seed. The Nittany Lions made sure of that after a 41-17 beatdown of the Bearcats, having the game in a vice-grip by half-time with a 23-3 lead. It never felt like the game was close, with the Nittany Lions having 19 first downs and 68 total plays, suffocating the Bearcats' opportunities to create any offense. Cincinnati converted on 20% of the third down opportunities, seeing their drives really dying before it ever got the opportunity to take off.
The Nittany Lions, the only underdog seed to win their first round matchup, will take on the number one SMU Mustangs in the Peach Bowl.
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35Player of the Game: HB Kris Stock - 17 carries, 71 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns
Summary
The Ohio State Buckeyes outpaced the Clemson Tigers all game long, beating them in total offense yards, total plays, even having a higher third down conversion rate. And somehow, Clemson came from behind, down 28-25 going into the fourth quarter, and managed to rip the rug from underneath Ohio State's feet. Clemson took all of the risk, going for it on fourth down and converting and going for two in their lone score in the third quarter. Quarterback Ben Baity did just enough to keep the Tigers afloat, throwing for 269 passing yards and a touchdown while Buckeyes quarterback Spencer Lewis threw for 312 passing yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Day and Ohio State is going back to the drawing board, wondering what else can they do to return to prominence.
Clemson will move on and take on the Miami Hurricanes in the Fiesta Bowl.
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42Player of the Game: QB Ben Brown - 27/37, 398 passing yards, 4 touchdowns
Summary
Oregon and TCU battled in the first quarter, entering the second quarter tied at 14 a piece before the Ducks offense continued to roll. The Horned Frogs fell behind and before they knew it, they were down 35-14. They scored two touchdowns to get themselves back into the fight, but once the Ducks scored another touchdown in the dying moments of the fourth quarter, the door had been slammed shut. Ducks quarterback Ben Brown played like a superstar, throwing 398 passing yards and four touchdowns, completing 72% of his passes. TCU quarterback Kurt Eagles was cruising as well, throwing 388 passing yards and four touchdowns of himself, but two interceptions absolutely collapsed TCU in their offensive shootout.
The Ducks will take on the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl.
CB Jamerson Cotton vs 
WR Addison Kirksey
(9:32) Alonzo Cheeseman, 24-yard run (Miguel Benitez kick) [SMU 7 - 0 PSU]
(9:29) John Okoye, 23-yard pass from Tony O'Malley (Joey Benitez kick) [SMU 14 - 7 PSU]
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